Tours

A City of Literature needs a very special map, sometimes even a very special guide. Whether self-guided or on one of many tours of the city, it’s easier than you think to read the stories in the stones around you.

Allan Foster guides you around literary Edinburgh taking in not just the birthplaces and homes of famous writers and poets, but also the spots which inspired and influenced them. With over 500 years to choose from it’s a tour with never a dull moment.
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For something slightly more off the wall, The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour features a lively duologue between ‘Clart’ and ‘McBrain’, each with their own particular take on Edinburgh’s literary heritage. Two sides of the story for the price of one.
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Is Edinburgh all about Inspector Rebus for you? No problem. The clues all point to following in the famous copper’s footsteps and visiting the sites associated with his cases with Colin Brown and Rebus Tours.
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Are you after a walk on the wild side? Leith Walks can guide you (safely) through the Leith landscape and Irvine Welsh’s imagination to explore the backdrop of one of the most remarkable Scottish books, Trainspotting. Private tours only.
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Wild about Harry Potter? The Potter Trail is the one for you. From where Harry first appeared on the page to the world's worst poet who gave his name to a character, your robed guide will reveal all. Suitable for Muggles.
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Discover how the Scottish Parliament is linked to literature through the poetry, prose and plays of the nation. Includes a visit to historic Queensberry house and the Donald Dewar Collection.Visit site

Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series can travel back in time themselves to Claire and Jamie's Edinburgh, visiting the sites and taverns mentioned in the books and exploring life as it would have been then.
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Led by Stuart Usher – whose family has been in Edinburgh for centuries and gifted it the Usher Hall – Edinburgh Guided Tour focuses on the historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the city. A top-rated Trip Advisor tour.Visit site

Calum is a professional storyteller registered with the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Join him to travel through time, caught up in his tales of Edinburgh through history. A top-rated Trip Advisor tour.
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Take a tour of Edinburgh's cultural hotspots with Japanese and English speaking guides, Miki and Onya. Want a private tour with refreshments in a secret location? No problem. Tours in German and Spanish also available.Visit site